Get Details of Prince’s ‘Somber’ Private Memorial

Prince’s longtime collaborator Sheila E. opens up about how difficult it was to listen to his music during the intimate event attended by about 20 of his closest friends and family.

Everyone was taken aback by Prince’s sudden passing on April 21. Thus, it’s no wonder that his family and friends have not come to terms with this tragic situation. Sheila E., who attended the singer’s memorial service at his Paisley Park estate on Saturday, April 23, has described the sad atmosphere during the private event.

“It was very somber,” she told ET Online. “It was sad.” During the gathering attended by around 20 of music legend’s closest friends and family, his music was played in honor of his life and legacy. “What was challenging yesterday was listening to his music at a very low soft volume and the room very low in lights and everyone just taking a moment, just sitting there, kind of going, ‘Wow,’ [in] disbelief,” Sheila shared.

Sheila also opened up about plans to turn Prince’s Paisley Park recording complex into a museum to commemorate the artist’s career. She said, “We’re hoping to make Paisley what [Prince wanted] it to be. [He] was working on it being a museum. He’s been gathering memorabilia and stuff from all the tours, like my drums and his motorcycle.”

Sheila went on detailing, “There’s a hallway of his awards and things, which he really didn’t care about too much, but he displayed it for the fans because he knows that they would want to see it. There’s pictures of him all down the halls, some you’ve seen before and some never [seen]… There’s a mural on the wall with his hands out and on one side is all the people he was influenced by and the other side is all of us who have played with him… It’s beautiful.”

Prince’s publicist Yvette Noel-Schure released a statement after the private memorial. “A few hours ago, Prince was celebrated by a small group of his most beloved: family, friends and his musicians, in a private, beautiful ceremony to say a loving goodbye. Prince’s remains have been cremated and their final storage will remain private. We ask for your blessings and prayers of comfort for his family and close friends at this time.”

The publicist added, “The cause of death remains unknown and it will be at least four weeks before we receive the results of the autopsy. An announcement will be made at a future date for a musical celebration.”